2016–2025 Chevrolet Malibu Fluid Types and Capacities

Which Chevrolet Malibu model years does this cover?

These fluids specifications apply to every Chevrolet Malibu built from 2016 through 2025 — the 9th generation (E2XX), mid-size sedan (production ended november 2024; 2025 is the final model year). Nothing in this specification changes between those model years. Pick your year for the engines it offered, what changed that year, and the problems recorded against it.

What changed during the 2016–2025 Chevrolet Malibu

• 2016Generation launch, nearly 300 lbs lighter, stop-start standard on 1.5T. Note: a 2016 'Malibu Limited' is the previous-generation car sold to fleets, use 2013–2015 data for those.
• 20172.0T Ecotec's transmission upgrades from an 8-speed to a 9-speed automatic, and the 2.0T becomes Premier-exclusive (dropped from LT)
• 2018Final carryover year before the 2019 mid-cycle refresh; LS/LT/Premier lineup and 1.5T 6-speed / 2.0T 9-speed powertrains unchanged from 2017
• 2019Facelift: new fascias, RS trim added, 1.5T switched from 6-speed to CVT, 2.0T to 9-speed, fuel tank grew to 15.8 gal, low-beam bulb changed to H11. Final year of the Hybrid.
• 2020Base L trim gains standard 16-in aluminum wheels (from LS); all trims standardize on the 8-in Chevrolet Infotainment 3 system, replacing the previous 7-in unit
• 2020–2022L dropped (2020 was its last year); lineup LS/RS/LT/Premier. 2022 was the final year for the Premier trim and 2.0T engine.
• 2021Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto added
• 2022Mechanical parking brake replaced by an electronic parking brake across all trims
• 2023Premier trim replaced by 2LT; LT no longer comes standard with leather seats
• 2023–20251.5T only (LS/RS/1LT/2LT). Production ended at Fairfax Assembly in November 2024; 2025 is the final model year.
• 2024Final full model year of Malibu production; Chevrolet ended assembly at the Fairfax plant (Kansas City) in November 2024 with no direct successor

What transmission fluid does a 2016–2025 Chevrolet Malibu take?

1.5T 2016–18 (6T40): DEXRON VI, drain-and-fill ~4.3 qt. 1.5T 2019+ (VT40 CVT): DEXRON CVT fluid only, severe-service change 45,000 mi. 2.0T 2016–18 (Aisin AF50-8): total fill ~7.5 qt. 2.0T 2019–22 (9T50): DEXRON HP. Hybrid drive unit: sealed. Wrong fluid kills the CVT, match the spec exactly. Transmission fluid specifications are not interchangeable. Friction modifiers differ between them, and the wrong fluid causes shudder long before it causes failure.

What coolant does a 2016–2025 Chevrolet Malibu use?

Dex-Cool (orange, pre-mixed available). First change 5 years/150,000 mi. Hybrid adds a separate power-electronics coolant loop, dealer service.

What brake fluid does a 2016–2025 Chevrolet Malibu take?

GM-approved DOT 4 (verify the reservoir cap marking); flush every 5 years.